Issues
Bishops’ Chairmen Renew Push To End Death Penalty
WASHINGTON—The bishops chairing two committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) renewed the bishops’ opposition to the death penalty in a message, July 16. The message commemorated the 10th anniversary of the bishops’ Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty and their accompanying message,“A Culture of Life and the Penalty…
Read MorePro-Life House Bill 3994 Signed Into Law By Governor Abbott
Pro-life leaders from across Texas, including representatives of the Texas Catholic Conference, joined Governor Greg Abbott on July 8, for the ceremonial signing into law of House Bill 3994. The new law tightens the legal process by which juveniles can get an abortion without parental notification or permission if they can convince a district court…
Read MoreUSCCB And Catholic Charities USA Unite In Support Of Second Chance Act
Citing the daunting financial, social, and physical and mental health challenges facing parolees re-entering society after prison, the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Catholic Charities USA are urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Second Chance Act (S. 1513) this session. This Second Chance Act would increase support for collaborative…
Read MoreTCC Statement On SCOTUS Ruling On Abortion Center Medical Standards
The Texas Catholic Conference expressed disappointment at the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to suspend enforcement of one of the country’s most effective measures for protecting women’s health and safety against a predatory abortion industry. The Texas law (part of 2013’s landmark HB 2) required abortion clinics meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers…
Read MoreReligious Freedom Vital To Our 21st Century World
By Most Rev. Michael J. Sis, Bishop of San Angelo Religious freedom is necessary for the health of a democratic society. However, it is being increasingly threatened around the world today, including in our own beloved country. The Fortnight for Freedom is being observed by Catholics in the U.S. from June 21 through July 4,…
Read MoreTexas Bishops Encourage Witnesses During Annual Fortnight For Freedom
For the third consecutive year, the bishops of Texas are joining their counterparts across the United States for the "Fortnight for Freedom". This 14-day period of prayer, penance, education, and action in defense of religious freedom opened on Sunday, June 21, 2015, and runs through the Fourth of July. The theme of this year’s observation…
Read MoreStatement By Texas Catholic Conference On HHS Mandate Ruling
The Texas Catholic Conference today expressed disappointment at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals’ ruling Monday that would force religious institutions to violate their faith. Several Texas dioceses and churches have long objected to provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act that require religious employers to provide health insurance that covers contraceptives, sterilizations, and abortions unless…
Read MoreCatholic Mobilizing Network Rolls Out New Tools For Year Of Mercy
The Catholic Mobilizing Network has developed new educational resources to correspond with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which will be celebrated by the Catholic Church from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. These tools include updated materials on the death penalty, restorative justice, solitary confinement, and more. The Catholic Mobilizing Network works in close…
Read MoreUSCCB Chairmen Give Strong Support for the ‘First Amendment Defense Act’
WASHINGTON—Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, gave their strong support for the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), which is a federal…
Read MorePray for Charleston
ByMost Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin I, like many of you, was completely shocked by the act of violence in Charleston, S.C., at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Houses of worship should be places of comfort and peace. As people of God we abhor all acts of brutal…
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